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The bitter Siberian air has already triggered widespread travel chaos across the country and numerous weather warnings but it looks as if we haven’t seen the end of it yet.

Despite conditions turning milder this week the conditions could start turning again next week with no signs of any prolonged periods of warmth and sunshine for a while.

Snow and ice wreaked havoc across Essex

According to some long-range forecast models, temperatures are expected to remain below the seasonal average across northern Europe over the coming months with risk of snow.

Forecaster Amy Hodgson, of The Weather Channel, told the Mirror the chilly outlook is still in response to the sudden stratospheric warming event and polar vortex split, which took place back in February.

She added that the extended cold period is caused by high pressure blocking warmer air from sweeping across the country from the south-west.

Tips and advice for when Essex is hit by snow

Research by Dr Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist at The Weather Channel, shows that these events can lead to prolonged cold weather and a negative North Atlantic Oscillation 30 to 60 days after the initial split.

Bitterly cold winds from the east and north-east normally dominate during a negative North Atlantic Oscillation phase.

This could mean one more ‘Beast from the East’ could occur before May as dry and cold conditions take charge under high pressure throughout much of April.

He said: “As we head into April, most computer forecast models suggest we will get at least one more big cold spell before the blocking pattern fades, with warmer and wetter weather confined to parts of southern Europe.”

The snow in Doddinghurst on February 28

"For May, we are forecasting above normal temperatures for the UK to western Scandinavia.

“Forecast confidence lowers further on, but there is however the risk that below normal temperatures could linger into May.”

Forecaster Katie Greening, of The Weather Channel, said cold Polar air is expected to spark a cool period across Britain from the end of March into the beginning of April.